Hand held powered rotary self cleaning brush with suction means



March 5, 1963 o. ALBRECHT 3,079,627 HANDHELD POWERED ROTARY SELF CLEANING BRUSH WITH SUCTION MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 24, 1961 INV EN TOR. DOA/4L 0 AL BEECH IIIIHIHIH March 5, 1963 D. ALBRECHT HAND HELD POWE RED ROTARY SELF CLEANING BRUSH WITH SUCTION MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 24, 1961 r m M N E w e w W5. m 0w N N\\ \Q\ .w\\ QW MA Q 0 L W fl/ m w M W N\ E: m N. a \hk m\ l QM \Mw INN QW ow W W Q Q 5; NM. i S vm K 5 llllllllllllllllll ll QM. @W =i n|il II II I! 5 W M K \nw \WQ MW mw Qh m 3 NW NW M w k m +U Q W 3,079 627 BANE) 1min rownann nioranr sans CLEANING BRUSH WKTH SUCTIGN MEANS Donald Albrecht, San Francisco, Calif. (3815 Baldwin Ave, El Monte 60, Calif.) Filed Mar. 24, 1961, Ser. No. 98,225 8 {Ilaiina (Cl. 15-344) This invention relates to improvements in powered rotary brushes and the like, and more particularly to a novel and improved powered rotary hair brush.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a more efiicient, more practical, and more easily used device of the kind indicated, which has handles on both ends, and which brushes hair more quickly, thoroughly, and easily than is possible with hand brushes, thereby saving time and work on the part of the user of the device, and, in the case of a beauty operator or masseuse, providing improtant economies and better service.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the character indicated above which incorporates rotary clearing means, in contact with the bristles of the brush element, which acts to remove loose hair, dandruff, dust, and other accumulations on the bristles, to prevent hair from winding on and becoming entangled in the bristles, and to resist unwanted deflection of the bristles, in contact with hair being brushed, whereby the ends of the bristles are more effectively brushed against the hair.

A further object of the invention is the provision, in a device of the character indicated above, of long hair guide means which serve to maintain long hair in effective contact with bristles of the brush element.

A still further object of the invention is the provision, in a device of the character indicated above, of means for trapping accumulated material removed from the brush bristles by the clearing means, in conjunction with a receiving chamber and suction means for drawing the material from the trapping means into the receiving chamher, from which the material is adapted to be emptied.

Other important objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein, for purposes of illustration only, a specific form of the invention is set forth in detail.

in the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a device of the present invention;

FEGURE 2 is a right-hand and elevation of FIGURE 1;

FIG RE 3 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE-S 4, 5, 6, and 7 are transverse sections taken on the lines 4-4, 5-5, 6-6, and '77, respectively, or FIGURE 3.

Referring in detail to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout the several views, the illustrated device comprises an elongated tubular casiug iii, having a substantially semi-cylindrical middle portion or brush housing 12, and smaller diameter cylindrical end portions 14 and 16, respectively. As shown in FIG- URES 2 and 5, the end portions are eccentric relative to the axis of the middle portion 12. and are centrally offset relative to the open side of the middle portion. At the open side of the brush housing 12, the side walls of the end portions 14 and it) are enlarged in cross section and are formed with longitudinally spaced, concave finger accommodating recesses 18. The end portions 14 and 16 are preferably of the same length, and serve as handles for applying and manipulating the device in hair brushing operations. The end portions 14 and 16 also serve, re-

spectively, as a motor housing and as a receiving chamber for material removed from the brush element.

araszt Fatented Mar. 5, 1963 Suitable motor means, such as a fractional horsepower electric motor 20, is positioned within the end portion 14 and mounted to the side Wall thereof, as indicated at 22, and has an appliance cord 24 which leads out through a grommet 26 in a closed outer end wall 28. An on-andoil switch 39 is mounted on the end wall 28, is in circuit with the cord 24, and has an external actuator 32. The motor 20 has an inwardly extending shaft 34, which is concentric to the end portion 14, and has a pinion 36, on its inward end, which is in mesh with a gear wheel 38 on the adjacent end of a brush shaft 40.

The longitudinally inward end of the casing end portion 14 is closed by a removable partition wall 42, which is secured in place, at the inward side of the pinion 36 and the gear wheel 38, as by means of screws 44 extended therethrough and threaded into an internal flange 46 on the side wall of the end portion 14. The wall 42 is provided with eccentric circumferentially spaced openings 48 which provide for air-cooling of the motor 26. In line with the axis of the main portion 12, the wall 42 is provided with an opening St in which an annular bearing 52 is suitably secured.

The longitudinally inward end of the casing end porfurther formed with an eccentric opening 64, containing an annular bearing 66, which is in line with the bearing 52 of the partition wall 42.

The outer end of the chamber 62 is partially closed by a thick disc 67 which is threaded, as indicated at 69, thereinto. The disc 67 is traversed by a multiplicity of uniformly distributed air outlet openings 71, and its inward side bears against the outward side of an air filter disc 73, which is held in place by an internal stop flange '75 in the end portion 16. This arrangement provides for retention of material within the chamber 62, while providing for escape of air therefrom through the openings 71.

The brush shaft 40 comprises a relatively large diameter cylindrical core 68 having polygonal axial sockets 7t) and 72, in its ends, in which are non-rotatably engaged pin-ales 74 and 76, which are journalled through the bearings 52 and 66. The gear wheel 38 is suitably fixed on the pintle 74, and a bladed suction fan 78 is fixed on the pintle 76, within the receiving chamber 62.

Suitably fixed to and extending radially from the core 63, at equally circumferentially spaced intervals, are continuous rows 80 of bristles, which extend between the ends of the core 63. As shown in FIGURE 7, the bristle rows Sb are wedge-shaped and flare radially outwardly from the core and terminate in relatively wide flat ends 82, which run close to the inner surface of the sidewall 34 of the brush housing 12.

As shown in FIGURES 5 and 7, the sidewall 84 of the brush housing 12 is slightly greater in circumferential extent than a semi-cylindrical sidewall, and terminates in free first and second longitudinal edges 36 and 83, respectively. On the first edge 86 is an external lateral flange 90 on whose underside are longitudinally spaced and transversely staggered, conical comb teeth 92. C pposite the flange 9%, the sidewall 84 is formed to provide a longitudinally extending transversely concave trapping channel 94, which reaches down to the sidewall edge 88. The portions of the ends of the brush housing 84 which reach laterally beyond the smaller diameter cylindrical end portions 14 and 16, are closed by end walls 96 and 98, respectively, which serve also as end walls for the ends of the channel 94. The partition wall 54, as shown in FIGURE 6, is provided with a semi-circular opening 1% which opens to the adjacent end of the channel 94. a

A cylindrical bristle clearing cage 192,- substantially smaller in diameter than the brush housing 12, and smaller in diameter than the brush 194, constituted by the core 68 and the bristle rows 8%, is positioned freely within and extends substantially the length of the interior of the brush housing 12. The cage 192 comprises a pair a of circular end rings 1% with equally circumferentially spaced straight rods 16% extending therebetween, and fixed thereto, the rods 1 38 corresponding in number to the number of spaces between adjacent bristle rows 86. Theedge 1&2 is spacedly circumposed about the brush core 68 and is supported to rotate on an axis which is eccentrio both to the brush shaft ill and the brush housing 12, and is laterally offset toward the channel 94 and downwardly offset relativeto the brush shaft, so that the lower part of the cage 162. can extend below the open side or bottom of the brush housing 12, as shown in 'FlGURES 2, 5, 6, and 7. The rings 196 of the cage 162 are rotatably supported on circumferentially spaced rollers 111 which are mounted on and extend longitudinally inwardly from the partition walls 42- and 54 and from the brush housing end walls 94 and 96. The cage 1G2 is rotated solely by the pressures of the bristle rows 8d of the brush 194, as the brush is rotated by the motor 21%. Because of the eccentric relationship of the cage 192, relative to the brush 104, and the brush housing 12, and its location at the open side of the channel 94, the cage rods 183 have wiping contacts with the bristle rows 8%, as the brush 194 is rotated counter-clockwise, as indicated by the arrow'inPIGURE 7. In eltect, the cage rods 1% move radially outwardly along the sides of the bristle rows 39, from maximum inward starting positions opposite the channel 94, to maximum outward finishing positions at the open side of the channel 94, so that material present on the bristle rows is pushed oil the'bristle rows into the channel 94, whence such material is drawn by the suction created by the fan 73, into the receiving chamber 62. Further, as bristle rows of the brush 1% extendingthrough the open side of the brush housing 12 are applied to the hair, in a brushing operation, any hair tending to become caught in, wound around, or otherwise entangled in bristles, is pushed oil the bristles by the edge rods 158; This action takes place whether the hair in question is loose hair or is hair attached to the head of the patron, so that, in the latter case, pulling or brushing of attached hair is eliminated.

For holding long hair in effective contact with the brush 1%, a long hair guide 11%} is provided, in the form of a U-shape, preferably formed of heavy wire or rod, which has parallel spaced legs 112 which are connected together, at one end only, by a bight portion 114 which extends upwardly out of the plane oi the legs 112. The legs have, on their free ends, upwardly directed portions 11:? which termiate in laterally inwardly directed terminals 113. The guide 11% is mounted with the legs 112 along opposite sides of the open side of the brush housing, and are spaced below the edges 86, 88, as shown in FiGURES and 7. The guide 110 is mounted to the brush housing 12 by engaging the cross member 12%} of the night portion 114 in a transverse groove 12?. provided on the side wall of the casing end portion 14, as shown in HGURES 3 and 5, and the terminals 118 are engaged through eyes 124 on the sidewall of the end portion 16. r

Long hair is adapted to be trained over the side of the guide legs 112 facing the brush N4 and the brush worked lengthwise therealong, the legs 112 then serving to keep the long hair inuniiorm contact with the bristle'rows 88 during such a brushing operation, without requiring support of the hair by the hands of the operator of the device, which are free to be used to hold both of the casing end portions 14- and it; for securably and comfortably manipulating the device.

it is to be understoodthat the present invention contemplates replacement oi the bristle rows 8% with rows or radial flexible massage finger elements when the disclosed device is to be used easily for massage purposes rather than for hair-brushing, and that both classes of elements are comprehended within the term radial contact elements.

Although there has been shown and described herein a preferred form of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily confined thereto, and that any change or changes in the s ructure of and in the relative arrangements of components thereof are contemplated as being within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. A powered rotary brush comprising a closedtubular casing having its side wall provided with an elongated opening terminating at points spaced from the ends of the casing, longitudinally spaced partition walls extending across the interior of the casing at the ends of said open-- ing, a rotary brush having a core extending bet een and journaled on said partition walls, longitudinal rows of bristles on and circumferentially spaced around the core and having the portions adjacent the opening extending out through said opening, motor means in the casing connected to one end of said core, and a cylindrical freely rotatable bristle clearing cage spacedly surrounding said core and positioned eccentrically relative to the core, said cage being journaled' at its'cnds on the partition walls, said cage having circumferentially spaced longitudinal bars located in the spaces between adjacent bristle rows,

spaced rings to which the bars are connected at their ends, a

said partition walls having circumferentialiy spaced rollers engaged with the inner surfaces of the rings, whereby said journaling is effected.

2. A powered rotary brush comprising a closed tubular casing having its side wall provided with an elongated opening terminating at points spaced from the ends of the casing, longitudinally spaced partition walls extending across the interior of the casing at the ends of said opening, a rotary brush having a core extending between and journaled on said partition walls, longitudinal rows of bristles on and circumferentially spaced around'the core and having the portions adjacent the opening extending out through said opening, motor means in the casing connected to one end of said core, and a cylindrical freely rotatable bristle clearing cage spacedly surrounding said core and positioned eccentrically relative to the core, said cage being journaled at its ends on the partition walls, said cage having circumferentially spaced longitudinal bars located in the spaces between adjacent bristle rows, the interior space of the casing between one of the partition Walls and the adjacentend of the casing being a material receiving chamber, suction means mounted in said chamber, the sidewall of the casing being formed with a longitudinal internal material trapping channel extending along the brush from the other partition wall to said one partition wall, said one partition wall having opening means providing communication of the channel with said chamber.

3. A powered rotary brush comprising a closed tubular casing having its side wall provided with an elongated opening terminating at points spaced from the ends of the casing, longitudinally spaced partition walls extending across the interior of the casing at the ends of said opening, a rotary brush having a core extending between and journaled on said partition walls, longitudinal rows of bristles on and circumferentially spaced around the core and having the portions adiacent the opening extending out through said opening, motor means in the casing connected toone end of said core, and a cylindrical freely rotatable bristle clearing cage spacedly surroundin said core and positioned eccentrically relative to the core, said cage being journaled at its ends on the partition walls, said cage having circumferentially spaced longitudinal bars located in the spaces between adjacent bristle rows, the 'iterior space of the casing between one of the partition walls and the adjacent end of the casing being a material receiving chamber, suction means mounted in said chamber, the sidewall of the casing being formed with a longitudinal internal material trapping channel extending along the brush from the other partition wall to said one partition wall, said one partition wall having opening means providing communication of the nannel with said chamber, said suction means embodying a tan mounted in said chamber and operatively connected to the brush core, said one partition wall having other opening means providing communication between the space between the partition walls and the said chamber.

4. A powered rotary brush comprising a closed tubular casing having its side wall provided with an elongated opening terminating at points spaced from the ends or the casing, longitudinally spaced partition walls extending across the interior of the casing at the ends of said opening, a. rotary brush having a core extending between and journaled on said partition Walls, longitudinal rows of bristles on and circumferentially spaced around the core and having the portions adjacent the opening extending out through said opening, motor means in the casing connected to one end of said core, and a cylindrical freely rotatable bristle clearing cage spacedly surrounding said core and positioned eccentrically relative to the core, said cage being journaled at its ends on the partition walls, said cage having circumferentially spaced longitudinal bars located in the spaces between adjacent bristle rows, the interior space of the casing between one of the partition walls and the adjacent end of the casing being a material receiving chamber, suction means mount d in said chamber, the sidewall of the casing being formed with a longitudinal internal material trapping channel extending along the brush from the other partition wal to said one partition Wall, said one partition wall having opening means providing communication of the channel with said chamber, the space in the casing between said other partition wall and the adjacent end of the casing being a motor housing, said motor means being located in said housing.

5. A powered rotary brush comprising a closed tubular casing having its side wall provided with an elongated opening terminating at points spaced from the ends of the casing, longitudinally spaced partition walls extending across the interior of the casing at the ends of said opening, a rotary brush having a core extending between and journaled on said partition walls, longitudinal rows of bristles on and circumferentially spaced around the core and having the portions adjacent the opening extending out through said opening, motor means in the casing connected to one end of said core, and a cylindrical freely rotatable bristle clearing cage spacedly surrounding said core and positioned eccentn'cally relative to the core, said cage being journaled at its ends on the partition walls, said cage having circumferentially spaced longitudinal bars located in the spaces between adjacent bristle rows, the interior space of the casing between one of the partition walls and the adjacent and of the casing being a material receiving chamber, suction means mounted in said chamber, the sidewall of the casing being formed with a longitudinal internal material trapping channel extending along the brush from the other partition wall to said one partition wall, said one partition wall having opening means providing communication of the channel with said chamber, the end of the casing adjacent to said one partition wall having vent opening means.

6. A powered rotary brush comprising a closed tubular casing having its side wall provided with an elongated opening terminating at points spaced from the ends of the casing, longitudinally spaced partition Walls extending across the interior of the casing at the ends of said opening, a rotary brush having a core extending between and journaied on said partition walls, longitudinal rows of bristles on and circumtercntially spaced around the core and havinc the portions adjacent the opening extending out through said opening, motor means in the casing connected to one end of said core, and a cylindrical freely rotatable bristle clearing cage spacedly surrounding said core and positioned eccentrically relative to the core, said cage being journaled at its ends on the partition walls, said cage having circumferentially spaced longitudinal bars located in the spaces between adjacent bristle rows, the interior space of the casing between one or the partition walls and the adjacent end of the casing being a material receiving chamber, suction means mounted in said chamber, the sidewall oi the casing being formed with a longitudinal internal material trapping channel extending along the brush from the other partition wall to said one partition wall, said one partition wall having opening means providing communication of the channel with said chamber, the end of the casing adjacent to said one partition wall having a vent opening means, the last-mentioned casing end being a removable perforated disc, and an air filter disc engaged with and extending across the inner surface of the perforated disc.

7. A powered rotary brush comprising a closed tubular casing having its side wall provided with an elongated opening terminating at points spaced from the ends of the casing, longitudinally spaced partition Walls extending across the interior of the casing at the ends of said opening, a rotary brush having a core extending between and journaled on said partition walls, longitudinal rows of bristles on and circumferentially spaced around the core and having portions adjacent the opening extending out through said opening, motor means in the casing connected to one end of said core, and a freely rotatable cylindrical bristle clearing cage spacedly surrounding said core and positioned eccentrically relative to the core, said cage being journaled at its ends on the partition Walls, said cage having circumferentially spaced longitudinal bars located in the spaces between adjacent bristle rows.

8. A powered rotary brush comprising a closed tubular casing having its side wall provided with an elongated opening terminating at points spaced from the ends of the casing, longitudinally spaced partition walls extending across the interior of the casing at the ends of said opening, a rotary brush having a core extending between and journaled on said partition walls, longitudinal rows of bristles on and circumierentially spaced around the core and having the portions adjacent the opening extending out through said opening, motor means in the casing connected to one end of said core, and a cylindrical freely rotatable bristle clearing cage spacedly surrounding said core and positioned eccentrically relative to the core, said cage being journaled at its ends on the partition walls, said cage having circumferentially spaced longitudinal bars located in the spaces between adjacent bristle rows, and, rings to which the bars are connected, said cage extending through the casing opening.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

7. A POWERED ROTARY BRUSH COMPRISING A CLOSED TUBULAR CASING HAVING ITS SIDE WALL PROVIDED WITH AN ELONGATED OPENING TERMINATING AT POINTS SPACED FROM THE ENDS OF THE CASING, LONGITUDINALLY SPACED PARTITION WALLS EXTENDING ACROSS THE INTERIOR OF THE CASING AT THE ENDS OF SAID OPENING, A ROTARY BRUSH HAVING A CORE EXTENDING BETWEEN AND JOURNALED ON SAID PARTITION WALLS, LONGITUDINAL ROWS OF BRISTLES ON AND CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED AROUND THE CORE AND HAVING PORTIONS ADJACENT THE OPENING EXTENDING OUT THROUGH SAID OPENING, MOTOR MEANS IN THE CASING CONNECTED TO ONE END OF SAID CORE, AND A FREELY ROTATABLE CYLINDRICAL BRISTLE CLEARING CAGE SPACEDLY SURROUNDING SAID CORE AND POSITIONED ECCENTRICALLY RELATIVE TO THE CORE, SAID CAGE BEING JOURNALED AT ITS ENDS ON THE PARTITION WALLS, SAID CAGE HAVING CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED LONGITUDINAL BARS LOCATED IN THE SPACED BETWEEN ADJACENT BRISTLE ROWS. 